Good neck pick up to go with 498t

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0179luke

New member
Hi there, first time posting here so go easy 🙂
I have a les paul custom with a 498t which I think is pretty decent for the hard rock that I play but want a well matched and balanced neck pick up to replace the 490r. I have done the magnet swap to an A5 and just put in an A4 as I had it laying around but I dont know, never sounds right. I have upgraded all pots and caps too to bare knuckle 550k/500k and PIO. (Tried the holy diver bridge and vh2 neck but found it a bit bland)
I do have an EMG 57/66 set which I am very tempted to go with but am willing to go the "traditional" route first and see what happens.......
Any suggestions or advice is very much appreciated 🙏
 
Re: Good neck pick up to go with 498t

I think the 59n works great with it in a Gibson SG. Whole Lotta Neck might also work well.
 
Re: Good neck pick up to go with 498t

I would try one more magnet swap and go for an un-oriented rough cast A5.
 
Re: Good neck pick up to go with 498t

A5 490R. I’ve got a 498T/A5 490R set in this Czech Caddy and they balance very well, tonally. Unfortunately, I don’t have any video of it, but it’s nice and bright, just like the 498T in this clip.

 
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Re: Good neck pick up to go with 498t

0179luke said:
Hi there, first time posting here so go easy ��
I have a les paul custom with a 498t which I think is pretty decent for the hard rock that I play but want a well matched and balanced neck pick up to replace the 490r. I have done the magnet swap to an A5 and just put in an A4 as I had it laying around but I dont know, never sounds right. I have upgraded all pots and caps too to bare knuckle 550k/500k and PIO. (Tried the holy diver bridge and vh2 neck but found it a bit bland)
I do have an EMG 57/66 set which I am very tempted to go with but am willing to go the "traditional" route first and see what happens.......
Any suggestions or advice is very much appreciated ��
Click to expand...

Have you tried lowering the neck pickup and raising the polepieces?. That should give some more brightness to it if that is what is lacking.
Al
 
Re: Good neck pick up to go with 498t

Thank you for the help and advice ��
Hmmm liking the idea of the UOA5, has anyone ever tried this. The 490r with an A5 is so close to a 59n, i have one in a goldtop and couldn't tell the difference. Also, wouls an A3 not work well with the 498t A5?
Cheers
 
Re: Good neck pick up to go with 498t

0179luke said:
The 490r with an A5 is so close to a 59n
Click to expand...
Close? They couldn't be more different in any possible aspect I can think of.

If you wanna keep the 490R, then the only magnet that makes it bearable, is an A3, or an A4 for a more "rocky" vibe, although the basic tonefootprint of this specific p'up is remarkably lackluster and uninspiring.

If I was you, I'd sell the 490R and get an A3-modded '59n, sell the 498T and get an A2-modded '59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge. That'll bring the inherent tonefootprint of that guitar to the forefront, it'll make for a balanced p'up matched pair, both tone- and output- wise. It'll work pretty well as you already modded your harness with good 500+K pots, so no stuck in 2nd gear, so to speak.

Both Mojotone.com and Philadelphia Luthier Tools sell good-sounding magnets and golden nickelsilver covers for the Duncans for a more than reasonable price.

You can thank me later... ;)
 
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